He was the fifth son of Nuno Manuel, grandson of bastardy by D. Duarte I, and D. Joana de Athayde.

[2] He received his doctorate in Theology from the University of Coimbra, and soon after was appointed canon of the See of Lisbon.

[2] Later he was appointed chief almoner of Philip II of Portugal when, in 1609, was invited to be Bishop of Viseu,[2] taking possession of the diocese on 25 April 1610.

[2] In 1632, he was appointed Archbishop of Lisbon, having his ascension confirmed in 1633 by Pope Urban VIII.

[2] By these orders, he was admitted to the Archdiocese of Lisbon by proxy, with his procurator D. Gaspar do Rêgo.